CFCA stories

Kenya youth program offers hope, dignity

May 18, 2010

Sarah enjoys the support of other students in the
youth group in Kenya, giving her more confidence.

Youth meet at the Mathare office to share their problems and offer advice. The youth group also provides a forum for them to display their talents.

Sarah, 21, studies human resource management at a university in Nairobi. This cosmopolitan environment is a world apart from her home in the sprawling slums of Mathare, Kenya.

“Life is tough generally,” she said. “It is even tougher coming from the slums.”

Her life has been one of hardship and hope. Her family could not afford the education she longed for. Her father was ill and her mother did all she could to provide the basics for her large family.

“I thought my dreams were crushed,” Sarah said. “It was in my darkest hour that CFCA held my hand and gave me a reason to dream again.”

Sponsorship gave Sarah the chance to attend high school, and now, college. She recognizes the tremendous opportunity she has received, but she still struggles with self-confidence.

“Most of my peers come from affluent backgrounds,” she said. “The fact that I am not able to dress like them, or I don’t have access to the equipment they have, makes me feel inferior. I would never disclose where I live to my colleagues for fear that they would ridicule me.”

Advising and inspiring youth

To help Sarah and other sponsored youth who share her feelings understand and cope with self-doubt, the Nairobi project began piloting a youth program in January of this year.

“The program’s sole objective is to encourage, advise and inspire youth, to help them believe in themselves,” said Amos Kihoro, coordinator of the program. “They need more than educational support. Emotional support is equally valuable.”

About 20 youth from ages 13 to 25 have registered, and more are registering all the time. University students meet at the Mathare community office once a month. Students in primary school and high school, most of whom attend boarding schools, meet when school is in recess.

During the meetings, the youth share their challenges at home and at school. Most of them are dealing with similar issues, so they encourage and advise each other.

“The youth need guidance and counseling from those who have been through similar situations,” Kihoro said.
 
Since the program started holding meetings with youth, the improvement has been noticeable. The youth enjoy interacting with each other, sharing problems and finding ways to deal with them. They are cultivating a sense of self-esteem and self-worth.
 
“The program is helping these young adults understand that they are the pillars of hope in their communities,” Kihoro said. “It is helping them to discover qualities deep inside such as character, academic excellence and God-given talents.”

Being part of the youth group has inspired Sarah. Once shy and withdrawn, she is now more relaxed and is able to interact with her peers at school.

“I appreciate the role the youth program has played in my life,” Sarah said. “Just like the youth group’s motto states, ‘More hope. More dignity,’ I can confidently say my hope and dignity have been rekindled.”